What do you think?
Rate this book
The Appearance of Truth
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
The Appearance of Truth charts one woman’s search for identity. Following the death of both her parents, Lisa Forster has little idea of her family history, but it is only at the age of thirty, when she begins to research her family tree as part of a bet with her friend Pete Laundon, that she discovers that her birth certificate is really that of a baby who died at the age of four months old. She is faced with the questions of: Who is she? Why was she never told? And who was the baby?
As she begins to search for information with Pete’s help, Lisa faces one dead end after another. Do her answers lie in finding Uncle Laurence, the uncle that was never mentioned by her father? Or is the truth contained in the hunch of Matt Kirby, photographer with the Southingham Express?
Lisa’s story is intertwined with the moving tale of her parents and the baby whose birth certificate she has.
The Appearance of Truth charts one woman’s search for identity. Following the death of both her parents, Lisa Forster has little idea of her family history, but it is only at the age of thirty, when she begins to research her family tree as part of a bet with her friend Pete Laundon, that she discovers that her birth certificate is really that of a baby who died at the age of four months old. She is faced with the questions of: Who is she? Why was she never told? And who was the baby?
As she begins to search for information with Pete’s help, Lisa faces one dead end after another. Do her answers lie in finding Uncle Laurence, the uncle that was never mentioned by her father? Or is the truth contained in the hunch of Matt Kirby, photographer with the Southingham Express?
Lisa’s story is intertwined with the moving tale of her parents and the baby whose birth certificate she has.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2013
256 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary J. Kind
27 books154 followersRosemary J Kind writes because she has to. You could take almost anything away from her except her pen and paper. Failing to stop after the book that everyone has in them, she has gone on to publish books in both non-fiction and fiction, the latter including novels, humour, short stories and poetry. She also regularly produces magazine articles in a number of areas and writes regularly for the dog press.
As a child she was desolate when at the age of 10 her then teacher would not believe that her poem based on ‘Stig in the Dump’ was her own work and she stopped writing poetry for several years as a result. She was persuaded to continue by the invitation to earn a little extra pocket money by ‘assisting’ others to produce the required poems for English homework!
Always one to spot an opportunity, she started school newspapers and went on to begin providing paid copy to her local newspaper at the age of 16.
For twenty years she followed a traditional business career, before seeing the error of her ways and leaving it all behind to pursue her writing full-time.
She spends her life discussing her plots with the characters in her head and her faithful dogs, who always put the opposing arguments when there are choices to be made.
Always willing to take on challenges that sensible people regard as impossible, she set up the short story download site Alfie Dog Fiction in 2012. During the six years the site ran, she built it to be one of the largest such sites in the world.
Her hobby is developing the Entlebucher Mountain Dog in the UK and when she brought her beloved Alfie back from Belgium he was only the tenth in the country.
She started writing Alfie’s Diary as an internet blog the day Alfie arrived to live with her, intending to continue for a year or two. It has now run for over fifteen years and is repeatedly named as one of the top ten pet blogs in the UK. You can read Alfie’s Diary at www.alfiedog.me.uk
She now lives in Warwickshire with her husband and dogs Alfie, Shadow, Wilma and Aristotle, the latter being Shadow’s wayward son.
She hopes you will enjoy reading her work.
As a child she was desolate when at the age of 10 her then teacher would not believe that her poem based on ‘Stig in the Dump’ was her own work and she stopped writing poetry for several years as a result. She was persuaded to continue by the invitation to earn a little extra pocket money by ‘assisting’ others to produce the required poems for English homework!
Always one to spot an opportunity, she started school newspapers and went on to begin providing paid copy to her local newspaper at the age of 16.
For twenty years she followed a traditional business career, before seeing the error of her ways and leaving it all behind to pursue her writing full-time.
She spends her life discussing her plots with the characters in her head and her faithful dogs, who always put the opposing arguments when there are choices to be made.
Always willing to take on challenges that sensible people regard as impossible, she set up the short story download site Alfie Dog Fiction in 2012. During the six years the site ran, she built it to be one of the largest such sites in the world.
Her hobby is developing the Entlebucher Mountain Dog in the UK and when she brought her beloved Alfie back from Belgium he was only the tenth in the country.
She started writing Alfie’s Diary as an internet blog the day Alfie arrived to live with her, intending to continue for a year or two. It has now run for over fifteen years and is repeatedly named as one of the top ten pet blogs in the UK. You can read Alfie’s Diary at www.alfiedog.me.uk
She now lives in Warwickshire with her husband and dogs Alfie, Shadow, Wilma and Aristotle, the latter being Shadow’s wayward son.
She hopes you will enjoy reading her work.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 3, 2018
Decent
It is a good story and the plot is interesting. The main character is difficult to like. Her treatment of Pete strayed into verbal abuse. Her reaction to the car situation and his response to the solving of the mystery was cruel. I found her very unlikable.
It is a good story and the plot is interesting. The main character is difficult to like. Her treatment of Pete strayed into verbal abuse. Her reaction to the car situation and his response to the solving of the mystery was cruel. I found her very unlikable.
September 29, 2021
This was a really interesting book with lots of twists and turns. It kept my attention throughout and I couldn't stop reading it.
August 19, 2021
Where to begin…
This book initially interested me because the story line was very intriguing. However, there is way too much dialogue written into it - so much that it reads like a 12 year old wrote it. The characters have no depth. Here is a synopsis of the dialogue: Pete and Lisa are talking. Pete makes a stupid joke. Lisa gets mad and pouts. They break up. They make up…until the next time…I skipped most of the pages because of the useless dialogue. I was still able to get the gist of the book.
This book initially interested me because the story line was very intriguing. However, there is way too much dialogue written into it - so much that it reads like a 12 year old wrote it. The characters have no depth. Here is a synopsis of the dialogue: Pete and Lisa are talking. Pete makes a stupid joke. Lisa gets mad and pouts. They break up. They make up…until the next time…I skipped most of the pages because of the useless dialogue. I was still able to get the gist of the book.
July 23, 2015
A 30-year old librarian Lisa Forster has recently lost her parents. But this is not the last of her troubles - she finds out that who she is grieving are not her real parents. Moreover, those people had made her live under the identity of a dead person. So, she is not Lisa Forster, but who? She begins her quest with the help of Pete, her boyfriend, Sylvia, her cousin, and Matt, the ambitious journalist. Eventually, Matt is able to locate Lisa`s parents and she is reunited with her father, but still needs to work on the relationship with her mother. She is also at the beginning of building her new family.
There is another storyline, told by late Maureen, Lisa`s adoptive mother, which explains what had happened many years ago and how Lisa had turned up to become her daughter.
The book is written in a simple, every-day language which is both the strength and a weakness of the book. It gives strength to the book because we can easily associate with the characters as if they are our next door neighbours. The weakness lies in some lazy dialogue here and there and repetition. The characters often ask each other questions the answers to which they know, and so do the readers. Also, there is too much eating and drinking involved. Almost every chapter begins with the character cooking, eating, drinking or ordering food or drink. For the comedy it would be alright, but I don`t think this book is a comedy. It explores rather serious issues, such as death of a baby, grief, adoption, psychological impact of losing a child, and so on.
What I particularly like about the book is that it doesn`t involve any murder. We are accustomed to horrid stories which involve kidnapping, raping, exploitation and killing children. Lisa in this story had led a normal happy childhood. That gives the book originality and potency among the books written on similar topic.
But I think it would be much stronger if it was a story not about lost identity but about the psychological impact of losing a child. Because Lisa wasn`t the most powerful character in the story; Maureen was. Lisa is a rather selfish woman who is considered by her friends as a very nice person but who, to my opinion is not. She is very self-centred, prone to rather childish tantrums and she is not a reliable person. She can easily wipe out from her life anybody as soon as they had done something which doesn`t suit her. To be honest, I tried to understand her behaviour but couldn`t on many occasions because of her selfishness. That prevented me to connect with her.
Maureen, on the other hand, is the most complicated character in the book. Like I pointed out above, if the book was written entirely from Maureen point of view, it would achieve better psychological deepness. Maureen is the only one in the book who I totally understand, despite that she is the reason for Lisa`s troubles. One of the most emotional scenes in the book is one in which Maureen goes to the toilet in the shopping centre and does what she does. And almost immediately after that, she literally blackmails her husband. She is terrible, she is emotionally broken and amazingly strong, and she is full of love. She has just lost her baby.
The story told from Maureen`s point of view is stronger and more believable. It`s a shame there is no real connection between her story and the rest of the book. If the author had made Lisa or someone else know her story – listening to her voice on the tapes brought from Australia, for example – that would make a connection between Lisa and Maureen. It would also give the story deeper psychological input.
There are some subplots that need to be finished somehow – Laurence`s story, for example. Or who was Lisa`s real father and why Lisa`s mother had an affair. Why it was mentioned at all?
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book for a reader who is sensitive and emotional and is not too picky (like myself) and just want to enjoy an easy book with a happy ending.
There is another storyline, told by late Maureen, Lisa`s adoptive mother, which explains what had happened many years ago and how Lisa had turned up to become her daughter.
The book is written in a simple, every-day language which is both the strength and a weakness of the book. It gives strength to the book because we can easily associate with the characters as if they are our next door neighbours. The weakness lies in some lazy dialogue here and there and repetition. The characters often ask each other questions the answers to which they know, and so do the readers. Also, there is too much eating and drinking involved. Almost every chapter begins with the character cooking, eating, drinking or ordering food or drink. For the comedy it would be alright, but I don`t think this book is a comedy. It explores rather serious issues, such as death of a baby, grief, adoption, psychological impact of losing a child, and so on.
What I particularly like about the book is that it doesn`t involve any murder. We are accustomed to horrid stories which involve kidnapping, raping, exploitation and killing children. Lisa in this story had led a normal happy childhood. That gives the book originality and potency among the books written on similar topic.
But I think it would be much stronger if it was a story not about lost identity but about the psychological impact of losing a child. Because Lisa wasn`t the most powerful character in the story; Maureen was. Lisa is a rather selfish woman who is considered by her friends as a very nice person but who, to my opinion is not. She is very self-centred, prone to rather childish tantrums and she is not a reliable person. She can easily wipe out from her life anybody as soon as they had done something which doesn`t suit her. To be honest, I tried to understand her behaviour but couldn`t on many occasions because of her selfishness. That prevented me to connect with her.
Maureen, on the other hand, is the most complicated character in the book. Like I pointed out above, if the book was written entirely from Maureen point of view, it would achieve better psychological deepness. Maureen is the only one in the book who I totally understand, despite that she is the reason for Lisa`s troubles. One of the most emotional scenes in the book is one in which Maureen goes to the toilet in the shopping centre and does what she does. And almost immediately after that, she literally blackmails her husband. She is terrible, she is emotionally broken and amazingly strong, and she is full of love. She has just lost her baby.
The story told from Maureen`s point of view is stronger and more believable. It`s a shame there is no real connection between her story and the rest of the book. If the author had made Lisa or someone else know her story – listening to her voice on the tapes brought from Australia, for example – that would make a connection between Lisa and Maureen. It would also give the story deeper psychological input.
There are some subplots that need to be finished somehow – Laurence`s story, for example. Or who was Lisa`s real father and why Lisa`s mother had an affair. Why it was mentioned at all?
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book for a reader who is sensitive and emotional and is not too picky (like myself) and just want to enjoy an easy book with a happy ending.
May 18, 2021
This title popped up when I did a search for books about genealogy but there is only a hint of that subject within. The reviews for the book were surprising and revealing (to me). There were so many varied impressions on what this book was about. Lisa was difficult to like. Her response to disappointment was abuse of whoever she felt was responsible for her disappointment. Yes, her anger toward the parents who had raised her was somewhat justified but her behavior demonstrated an inconsiderate attitude. She used people whether to make her feel good about herself or to bolster her fragile ego.
Although I suspected a scenario similar to the one that played out, I was glad her search produced someone just like her (turned up a notch from years of practice). Maybe Lisa will become a better person with the influences that were in her life at the end of the book.
Although I suspected a scenario similar to the one that played out, I was glad her search produced someone just like her (turned up a notch from years of practice). Maybe Lisa will become a better person with the influences that were in her life at the end of the book.
May 16, 2021
This could have been a great story. The premise is so unique. Finding out you are not who you have been raised to believe you are, and having to figure it out pretty much on your own.
With all that going on, why would you try to create a love story too? It felt very forced.
I didn't like the main character, Lisa Forster. She seemed to me to be a petulant, spoiled, greedy person. Pete, the boyfriend, was likeable enough but spineless. He should have walked away, half way through the book.
Overall, I didn't think it was very well written.
With all that going on, why would you try to create a love story too? It felt very forced.
I didn't like the main character, Lisa Forster. She seemed to me to be a petulant, spoiled, greedy person. Pete, the boyfriend, was likeable enough but spineless. He should have walked away, half way through the book.
Overall, I didn't think it was very well written.
August 21, 2020
Mixed feelings
I enjoyed reading this book, I liked the style in which it was written and the characters and their reactions. However I was not happy about the ending, it seems to me that the central character was jumping from the frying pan into the fire, from living one lie to living another, with the probability of disastrous results ahead.
I enjoyed reading this book, I liked the style in which it was written and the characters and their reactions. However I was not happy about the ending, it seems to me that the central character was jumping from the frying pan into the fire, from living one lie to living another, with the probability of disastrous results ahead.
February 15, 2021
Like others, I also found the main character quite unlikeable, and very immature and spoiled. I did find the plot interesting.
June 15, 2018
When You Discover You're Not Who You Think You Are (an audio review)
The premise of this book was fascinating. DNA is all the rage these days with people giving up their spit and their rights to privacy in order to gain some kind of understanding of where they come from.
It sounds simple, right? A little saliva and a few weeks later, you get the information. Twice, though, in the near-past, men were arrested and accused of being multiple murderers because of DNA. But not THEIR DNA. Distant relatives had submitted a sample and the police were able to track down suspects. By picking up discarded garbage with DNA from the suspects, the forensic techs were able to confirm DNA matches. It turns out the men had never even been on the police’s radar as potential suspects.
Is this fair?
Well, their DNA was on the murder victims when they died, so the men need to be looked at, potentially charged, and definitely have their day in court.
And those relatives who inadvertently reveal their relatives as killers? Well, they’ll either feel guilt at being responsible or quiet acceptance that a killer is off the streets.
When Lisa, the protagonist in ‘The Appearance of Truth’, discovers she is not who she has always believed herself to be, that is a massive shock. She met Pete at a cemetery, and after time, they became friends. At a pub one night, they bet each other on who can find out more about their genealogy.
Lisa wins, but also loses.
Watching her make discovery after discovery is painful. Why? Because very quickly, she discovers her entire life is a lie.
Now, I’m adopted, so maybe this affected me even more than most. I was lucky enough to always know I was adopted and my parents almost always made me believe I was good enough, that I was special because they chose me.
That being said, when was18, I began my search. I was 28 when I finally met my biological mother and I’m glad I was older than I had been at the beginning of the search. I was mature enough to handle meeting the woman who gave birth to me, her parents (my grandparents), and my half-siblings. I won’t lie – it was a life-altering experience.
So I am very empathetic to Lisa…to a point. At times, though, I wanted to shake some sense into her. Her treatment of Pete, on occasion, hurt my heart. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy and was, I think, almost too understanding.
That being said, I adored Pete. To hold the hand of someone going through such upheaval, to be so kind and generous – he is the guy that women like me would love to find.
Lisa’s discoveries are paralleled by her ‘parents’ story, the narrative slipping from present (which is written in third person past tense) and the past (which is written in first person present tense). We also got the point-of-view of several characters other than Pete and Lisa. This could have been confusing, but I was never lost.
As Lisa’s story unfolded, she was blessed by having people who entered her life and enfolded her into their lives, accepting and embracing her. It turns out that Lisa isn’t the only one with a tragic past. Eventually, Pete’s is revealed and it was as tragic as I had imagined.
I won’t give away too many details, but I was rooting for Lisa and was happy with her ending.
Regan Boggs is a great narrator and did an admirable job. It took a bit of time for me to discern the setting of the book because Ms. Boggs spoke in an American accent while Lisa and Pete are British and there are a number of characters from Australia as well. Better to not attempt an accent rather than do it badly. I can think of several British narrators who would have done a good job, however, I think Ms. Boggs was a good choice.
Finally, I want to encourage people to listen to this book. Although Ancestry DNA screening programs were only in their infancy when Ms. Kind wrote the book in 2007, she was almost prescient in the questions she raised. These are questions that readers might ask themselves before giving away all their genetic secrets.
Oh, and when Lisa referred to Pete as her ‘little truffle pig’ who snores gently? My heart melted.
The premise of this book was fascinating. DNA is all the rage these days with people giving up their spit and their rights to privacy in order to gain some kind of understanding of where they come from.
It sounds simple, right? A little saliva and a few weeks later, you get the information. Twice, though, in the near-past, men were arrested and accused of being multiple murderers because of DNA. But not THEIR DNA. Distant relatives had submitted a sample and the police were able to track down suspects. By picking up discarded garbage with DNA from the suspects, the forensic techs were able to confirm DNA matches. It turns out the men had never even been on the police’s radar as potential suspects.
Is this fair?
Well, their DNA was on the murder victims when they died, so the men need to be looked at, potentially charged, and definitely have their day in court.
And those relatives who inadvertently reveal their relatives as killers? Well, they’ll either feel guilt at being responsible or quiet acceptance that a killer is off the streets.
When Lisa, the protagonist in ‘The Appearance of Truth’, discovers she is not who she has always believed herself to be, that is a massive shock. She met Pete at a cemetery, and after time, they became friends. At a pub one night, they bet each other on who can find out more about their genealogy.
Lisa wins, but also loses.
Watching her make discovery after discovery is painful. Why? Because very quickly, she discovers her entire life is a lie.
Now, I’m adopted, so maybe this affected me even more than most. I was lucky enough to always know I was adopted and my parents almost always made me believe I was good enough, that I was special because they chose me.
That being said, when was18, I began my search. I was 28 when I finally met my biological mother and I’m glad I was older than I had been at the beginning of the search. I was mature enough to handle meeting the woman who gave birth to me, her parents (my grandparents), and my half-siblings. I won’t lie – it was a life-altering experience.
So I am very empathetic to Lisa…to a point. At times, though, I wanted to shake some sense into her. Her treatment of Pete, on occasion, hurt my heart. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy and was, I think, almost too understanding.
That being said, I adored Pete. To hold the hand of someone going through such upheaval, to be so kind and generous – he is the guy that women like me would love to find.
Lisa’s discoveries are paralleled by her ‘parents’ story, the narrative slipping from present (which is written in third person past tense) and the past (which is written in first person present tense). We also got the point-of-view of several characters other than Pete and Lisa. This could have been confusing, but I was never lost.
As Lisa’s story unfolded, she was blessed by having people who entered her life and enfolded her into their lives, accepting and embracing her. It turns out that Lisa isn’t the only one with a tragic past. Eventually, Pete’s is revealed and it was as tragic as I had imagined.
I won’t give away too many details, but I was rooting for Lisa and was happy with her ending.
Regan Boggs is a great narrator and did an admirable job. It took a bit of time for me to discern the setting of the book because Ms. Boggs spoke in an American accent while Lisa and Pete are British and there are a number of characters from Australia as well. Better to not attempt an accent rather than do it badly. I can think of several British narrators who would have done a good job, however, I think Ms. Boggs was a good choice.
Finally, I want to encourage people to listen to this book. Although Ancestry DNA screening programs were only in their infancy when Ms. Kind wrote the book in 2007, she was almost prescient in the questions she raised. These are questions that readers might ask themselves before giving away all their genetic secrets.
Oh, and when Lisa referred to Pete as her ‘little truffle pig’ who snores gently? My heart melted.
June 12, 2017
This book was well written. I could easily put myself in Lisa’s place. It seemed very real to me with a lot of emotions and setbacks. Lisa is a very likeable character, and I enjoyed getting to know her. There were a couple inconsistencies that bothered me, but I don’t want to list them as spoilers. They weren’t major, but I was a little irritated. I also think part of my irritation was some of Lisa’s reactions to Pete. I try to put myself in a character’s place and when they don’t act the way I would act, it annoys me. Of course, not all people would react the same in any situation, so I had to remind myself of that. I enjoyed most of the interactions, especially with Sylvia and Pete. There were a lot of unexpected twists and turns.
Reagan Boggs has a nice, soothing voice. I really wish a British narrator would’ve been chosen for this narration of this book. Reagan seems to have a bit of a Southern American accent, so it was hard to imagine Lisa as being from England. I would like to hear her voice again with an American story. I am sure she would be very well suited.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
Reagan Boggs has a nice, soothing voice. I really wish a British narrator would’ve been chosen for this narration of this book. Reagan seems to have a bit of a Southern American accent, so it was hard to imagine Lisa as being from England. I would like to hear her voice again with an American story. I am sure she would be very well suited.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
February 19, 2022
This was an interesting story of a woman who learns she was named for a dead baby. The story takes many twists and turns as Lisa learns more about the parents who raised her. The intrigue continues day by day as she learns small bits of information. She searches along with Pete as he struggles to support her during her many setbacks. News stories were helpful but when a reporter in a different city saw her story, he remembers an abduction that occurred 30 years earlier. He persists until he finds her birth parents. There was a happy reunion with her birth father. There was information that was concealed throughout her life and others that was revealed. Lisa now had an identify and the love of at least one birth parent. She and Pete declare their love for one another and set out to create a new life for both of them.
It was interesting how the story was woven with almost day by day action.
It was interesting how the story was woven with almost day by day action.
May 21, 2017
The Appearance of Truth
: Rosemary J. Kind
What would you do if you found out you aren't who you thought you were? He plot of this book and similar real life cases are heartbreaking. There were plenty of twists and turns in this suspenseful mystery. We get to meet distant relatives, new friends and a romantic interest in playing a part to move the story along. This held my interest and kept me listening even as I had to go grocery shopping.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Reagan Boggs' voice was fine even though she didn't use British accent. The southern US accent didn't match with the British vocabulary. Maybe I'm being picky but as someone who lies British phrases I like the voice and or accent to match. It was still listenable.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
: Rosemary J. Kind
What would you do if you found out you aren't who you thought you were? He plot of this book and similar real life cases are heartbreaking. There were plenty of twists and turns in this suspenseful mystery. We get to meet distant relatives, new friends and a romantic interest in playing a part to move the story along. This held my interest and kept me listening even as I had to go grocery shopping.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Reagan Boggs' voice was fine even though she didn't use British accent. The southern US accent didn't match with the British vocabulary. Maybe I'm being picky but as someone who lies British phrases I like the voice and or accent to match. It was still listenable.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
December 13, 2020
What Is Family?
When Liberian Lisa Forster first meets Pete Landon in the local cemetery, they become instant friends. As their friendship establishes, Pete presents a call ante to receive their family roots - the prize an evening out. However once Lisa's search begins she finds that she does not exist. Her name and birth record belong to a infant who died 30 years before. Thus begins a quest which will cross continents and uncover secrets.
The reader finds herself questioning Pete's motivations and hidden agenda. With her "parents" deceased Lisa and Pete attempt to unravel the mysteries of her parentage while discovering their budding relationship.
With the help of 'new found family' and a small town news photographer, Lisa and Pete delve into secrets from the past. But will Pete's own hidden truth derail the search and/or the relationship?
When Liberian Lisa Forster first meets Pete Landon in the local cemetery, they become instant friends. As their friendship establishes, Pete presents a call ante to receive their family roots - the prize an evening out. However once Lisa's search begins she finds that she does not exist. Her name and birth record belong to a infant who died 30 years before. Thus begins a quest which will cross continents and uncover secrets.
The reader finds herself questioning Pete's motivations and hidden agenda. With her "parents" deceased Lisa and Pete attempt to unravel the mysteries of her parentage while discovering their budding relationship.
With the help of 'new found family' and a small town news photographer, Lisa and Pete delve into secrets from the past. But will Pete's own hidden truth derail the search and/or the relationship?
September 13, 2021
The storyline sounded great and I was excited to pick up this book, but sadly it didn’t deliver. I liked the start, then it became very obvious to guess what happened and it’s also confirmed by the author quite early on. There’s a lot of unnecessary and boring detail on the practical side of searching your family tree. Also some of the characters in my view have acted very strange to certain events (ie not what you’d expect them to do in that situation). I kept reading till the end but skipped lots of paragraphs and sadly there were no surprises left at the end; so the ‘big reveal’ is done half way through the book then sadly is just a slow boring predictable drawn out conclusion.
I think this author has potential as the story idea was good and there are some great ideas in there, just need to work on execution.
I think this author has potential as the story idea was good and there are some great ideas in there, just need to work on execution.
July 22, 2022
I really struggled to finish this book, but first the positives.
I thought the plot was interesting and I’m sure a lot of people can relate to quite a few of the problems that the various characters have.
However, the main issue I had with this story was the totally unlikable MC. I was probably meant to feel sorry for her, but she was so incredibly self-centred and rude that I just couldn’t. The way she treated all the people who bent over backwards to help her, beggared belief.
And then there was the decision that the journalist made. He thought it a good idea to lie to a woman, who had been living a lie her entire life. Who’d do that?
Finally, I feel that the whole story could have been wrapped up in half the time. There was a lot of unnecessary dialogue to the point where I skipped quite a few passages.
So yeah, I would describe this as a missed opportunity.
I thought the plot was interesting and I’m sure a lot of people can relate to quite a few of the problems that the various characters have.
However, the main issue I had with this story was the totally unlikable MC. I was probably meant to feel sorry for her, but she was so incredibly self-centred and rude that I just couldn’t. The way she treated all the people who bent over backwards to help her, beggared belief.
And then there was the decision that the journalist made. He thought it a good idea to lie to a woman, who had been living a lie her entire life. Who’d do that?
Finally, I feel that the whole story could have been wrapped up in half the time. There was a lot of unnecessary dialogue to the point where I skipped quite a few passages.
So yeah, I would describe this as a missed opportunity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2020
Soon as I saw the back cover synopsis I was in.
Lisa Forster delves into her family tree, but has to do it alone as both her parents are now dead.
But it's a real shock when it turns out that her birth certificate belongs to a four month old baby who died thirty years ago.
Now who wouldn't want to find out what is going on here?
Soon she teams up with Peter Laundon, who has a big secret all of his own.
Turning the pages with enthusiasm, we then get a link to Australia, and so the mystery deepens.
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale; it holds you in its grip, mainly because the characters are well drawn, and you empathise with all of them.
And the ending kind of tighs it all up rather satisfactorily.
You won't lose out giving this book a run.
Lisa Forster delves into her family tree, but has to do it alone as both her parents are now dead.
But it's a real shock when it turns out that her birth certificate belongs to a four month old baby who died thirty years ago.
Now who wouldn't want to find out what is going on here?
Soon she teams up with Peter Laundon, who has a big secret all of his own.
Turning the pages with enthusiasm, we then get a link to Australia, and so the mystery deepens.
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale; it holds you in its grip, mainly because the characters are well drawn, and you empathise with all of them.
And the ending kind of tighs it all up rather satisfactorily.
You won't lose out giving this book a run.
May 18, 2017
This was such a whirlwind of emotions! It was both a heartbreaking and an uplifting story. Pete's sense of humor helped me not to be crying through the whole book but instead take a few breaks for contemplation and laughter.
The narrator did an excellent job and her soft voice was the perfect one for such a sensitive subject!
I loved the twists and turns as we try to understand what's going on. The side letters let the reader know more than the characters, but it was still very suspenseful and very enjoyable. I was extremely disappointed when my real life got in the way of me listening to this wonderful audiobook!
The narrator did an excellent job and her soft voice was the perfect one for such a sensitive subject!
I loved the twists and turns as we try to understand what's going on. The side letters let the reader know more than the characters, but it was still very suspenseful and very enjoyable. I was extremely disappointed when my real life got in the way of me listening to this wonderful audiobook!
December 26, 2020
This was a great read. Lisa finds out her birth certificate is not hers and begins a quest to uncover the truth! If you are interested in family trees then this is a great read. It was beautifully written to reflect not only the impact this was having on the protagonist, but on other family members and friends. It was nice to see Lisa got a good outcome, as I know this does not happen for many people. Lisa may not have been rich and famous in terms of money, but the outcome left her richer than ever.
A great book written by an author, whose books I have never read, but will definitely be reading more of!
A great book written by an author, whose books I have never read, but will definitely be reading more of!
May 15, 2021
Full of Surprises
While looking for genealogical mysteries, this book was among the choices. I was unfamiliar with Rosemary Kind, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did, because it ended up being thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is unique and full of surprises. The main characters have both assets and flaws that make them believable. I definitely plan to explore more books by this author.
While looking for genealogical mysteries, this book was among the choices. I was unfamiliar with Rosemary Kind, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did, because it ended up being thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is unique and full of surprises. The main characters have both assets and flaws that make them believable. I definitely plan to explore more books by this author.
May 13, 2017
Great story, perfectly narrated!!! I just listened to this. Reagan Boggs wonderfully brought Rosemary J. Kind's characters to life and told the story of Lisa's journey to find out who she is. The Appearance of Truth is an emotional and sweet story with a few twists that will keep you on your toes.
April 27, 2019
This book was ok for a long haul flight - easy to read and sufficiently interesting to keep the pages turning. However I felt that some of the writing was lazy and repetitive. I found the main character irritating and the concentration on her detracted from what could have been interesting developments in the stories of the other characters.
March 11, 2021
Great storyline
Really enjoyed the book, however at times felt it was just a little twee. Especially loved it when Matt arrived, what a great character. Totally believable how the whole story unfolds, however sometimes when we search for something we don't always get what we bargained for. Definitely worth a read.
Really enjoyed the book, however at times felt it was just a little twee. Especially loved it when Matt arrived, what a great character. Totally believable how the whole story unfolds, however sometimes when we search for something we don't always get what we bargained for. Definitely worth a read.
February 9, 2021
Wòrth reading
I really like this story and kept me wondering untill almost the end. I found the story really interesting. Lots of good information on finding out who your real parents are, and where to start searching. I loved this story and read it all in two days.
I really like this story and kept me wondering untill almost the end. I found the story really interesting. Lots of good information on finding out who your real parents are, and where to start searching. I loved this story and read it all in two days.
August 23, 2021
Good story
I liked the story line, found the characters engaging, but the simplistic writing style spoils it for me. I found the author voice very dominant. I liked it though, and I’m glad I read it!
I liked the story line, found the characters engaging, but the simplistic writing style spoils it for me. I found the author voice very dominant. I liked it though, and I’m glad I read it!
January 27, 2019
This is one of the best genealogy mysteries I have read. I
Highly recommend this book for a long winters night.
Highly recommend this book for a long winters night.
January 17, 2021
Great read!
I was hooked at the first chapter. Very well written with great characters. Would highly recommend this book if you are into mysteries.
I was hooked at the first chapter. Very well written with great characters. Would highly recommend this book if you are into mysteries.
January 18, 2021
Who is Lisa?
An interesting story idea - although one which didn't really need the final twist - but written in quite a simplistic manner.
An interesting story idea - although one which didn't really need the final twist - but written in quite a simplistic manner.
February 2, 2021
Enjoyed the book and the premise of the story... the main character not so much.... she could be a little hateful and overreactive at times.. all in all I would recommend this book.
March 5, 2021
What a great story. Note to other readers, you'll need hankies towards the end of the book.
May 13, 2021
An interesting mystery read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews